Africa-Press – Tanzania. HEALTH Deputy Minister Dr Godwin Mollel has called upon public institutions and development stakeholders in the country to support drug addicts recovering from drug addiction so that they can engage in income generating activities.
Dr Mollel made the call in Tanga over the weekend while winding up activities of a special campaign which aimed at creating awareness in the society on controlling the use of illicit drugs funded by Cassa Famiglia Rosetta in collaboration with United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
“I call upon councils and the offices of district commissioners to incorporate people recovering from drug addiction in their plans by empowering women and youth through the 10 percent of revenue arrangement ….the group should be given priority so that they don’t go back to drug use ,” he said.
Dr Mollel said that Tanga region is ranked second in terms of having the large number of drug addicts as 2016 statistics indicate that the region had 5,190 drug addicts while Dar es Salaam was leading by having a large number of them.
“This campaign has come at the right time and will help to break the chain of using illicit drugs,” Dr Mollel said.
The campaign which started in May this year and concluded in October 2021 has managed to reach 879 drug addicts of whom 63 were placed on methadone service at a clinic located in Bombo Regional Referral Hospital while other addicts were attending methadone clinic at the hospital.
Meanwhile, the deputy minister has issued a one-week ultimatum to Regional Medical Officer (RMO) in collaboration with District Medical Officers (DMOs) in Muheza and Korogwe districts to ensure they establish satellite methadone clinics in their areas to help people who have been affected with drugs in their respective areas.
He said incorporating them into the loan groups will not only boost them economically but also help them to refrain from reengaging in drug abuse, the behavior that will prompt them commit crimes.
Casa Famiglia Rosetta is working in Tanzania in collaboration with the Health ministry for the major objective of improving the capacity of the network of drug use disorder treatment services and provide ethical, evidence based and human treatment to persons with drug use disorder in Tanga.
He said the government’s intention through the health ministry in collaboration with Drug Control Enforcement Authority (DCEA) is to see drug addicts receive services so that they recover from the problem, a situation that prompted the government, last year, to disburse 763m/- in Tanga for the construction of methadone clinic building at Bombo hospital premises.
For his part, Tanga Regional Medical Officer (RMO) Dr Jonathan Budemu said since methadone clinic treatment service started at Bombo Hospital, a total number of 320 clients have been registered and they have shown notable improvement in their health.
On her side Casa Famiglia Rosetta Manager, Dr Irene Almas said despite handing over the project, her organisation will continue working with the government in the area.
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